Earth boring and conduit laying machine



Dec. 22, 1964 s. L. ROSE EARTH BORING AND CONDUIT LAYING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 24

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INVENTOR. 5751/5 L. H055 M f @mf rraPA/E Ys.

Dec. 22, 1964 s. L. ROSE EARTH BORING AND CONDUIT LAYING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 24 1961 Dec. 22, 1964 s. l.. RosE EARTH BORING AND CONDUIT LAYING MACHINE Filed NOV. 24 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Lean 204 Pa' game /44 20a 0 o19o o INVENTOR. rEl/EN L. ROSE rraR/VEYS.

' United States Patent 4ilice Patented Dec. 22, 1964 3,162,254 EARTH BORING AND CONDUIT LAYING MACE Steven I... Rose, Arcadia, Calif., assigner to Calweld Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 2 4, 196i, Ser. No. 154,522 Claims. (Cl. 173-148) This invention relates to an earth boring and conduit laying machine and more particularly to a machine for boring relatively large diameter holes on a substantially horizontal plane or on a slightly inclined plane and simultaneously positioning conduit in the bore.

Heretofore, when laying pipe, culverts, oil lines, or other conduits when surface ditching isl used, it is necessary that surface ditches be dug, the pipe laid in the ditches' and then the ditch back-filled with earth to cover the pipe up once it has been laid. When surface ditching has been used under roadways, etc., it has been necessary not only to backfill, but to, resurface 4the road once the pipe, culvert or lines have been put in` position. This method has produced traffic congestion, inconvenience and created an unsightly area. In some cases dangerous conditions have resulted when deep open ditches and trenches have been left unattended.

All, Object of the invention is to provide a boring machine which drills under streets, highways, railroad tracks, airport runways, parking lots, etc., without disturbing the surface or requiring the diversion of trat-ric While the street or area is disrupted with surface ditches. Another object of this invention is to provide a boring ymachine whichA may be used in an open pit prepared for the n iachi'ne` adjacent the area to be drilled or bored.

Another object of this invention is to provide a base har/ing hydraulically-operated rams mounted therein, a vslidable rotatable kelly mounted on said base and a means for rotating said kelly and activating the rams.

A further object of this invention is to provide a key coupling for an auger ight or section and the kelly whereby the auger may be rotated boring through the earth or for the joining of two auger flights.

Another object of this invention` is to provide a push yoke means activated by the rams to urge the. auger ight and pipe casing into the earth.

A further object of this invention is to provide a kelly 'keeper to lock the push` yoke means to the kelly without impairing the torque capacity of the kelly during the drilling operation.

' A morel specific object of this invention is to provide a telescoping" hydraulically actuated ram means whose length of forward thrust may be controlled and which will eliminate the need for various lengths of push rods for forcing the auger flight and pipe casing into the bore.

A further object of this invention is to provide a motor mounted on a base with the drive shaft and transmission to the rear of said base and the radiator to the front of said base whereby the transmission and shaft will be in close proximity to a reduction gearing means between the shaft and the kelly means, and also so that more air may be circulated to the radiator for cooling the engine.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear dur-ing, the course of the following part of :this specication, wherein the details of construction ofy one embodiment thereof are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 isa side elevational View of the boring machine, auger flight and casing in a pit ready for use;

FIGURE 2 is a top-plan view of 4the device illustrated iLFGURE 1l;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational View of vthe boring machine Where the hydraulic rams have completed one forward push and a part of an auger Hight and casing have been forced into the earth;

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURE 3, but where the hydraulic ram has completed its second forward thrust forcing the auger flight and casing further into the earth;

FIGURE 5 illustrates two auger flights or sections joined together and two cas-ings weldedl together where the bore has been further extended into the earth, or as is illustrated in FIGURE 5, through an earth mound from one side to, the other;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed View illustrating how two auger flights or sections are joined together;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged View, partially in section, of the hydraulic rams and push yoke means taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed sectional view of one of the hydraulic rams taken on line S-S of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a detailed sectional View of the means for transmitting power from the motor to the kelly means;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view taken on line itl-I0 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 11 is a view taken on line 11-11 of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a detailed view of the push yoke means taken on line 12-12 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 13 is a detailed View of one of the casing or conduit guide arms positioned on the push yoke means illustrated in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a horseshoe-shaped kelly lock;

FIGURE 15 is a detailed sectional View of the push yoke means taken on line 15-15 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 16 is a View of the horseshoe-shaped kelly lock shown in FIGURE 14 in place about the kelly taken on line 16-16 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a -sectional view taken on line 17-1'7 of FIGURE 15 FIGURE 18 is a sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIGURE 15 FIGURE 191s an exploded detail View of the pin and locking mechanism for the kelly means and auger ight;

FIGURE 20 is a view similar to FIGURE l2, showing the guide arms as used for pipe or casing of a larger diameter than that which is illustrated in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 21 is a sectional View taken on line 21-211 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 22 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system to actuate the hydraulic ram assemblies.

The boring machine generally designated 3d includes a generally-rectangular shaped base or platform 32 having a front wall 34 and rear wall 33. Mounted on the base 32 is a motor 36, fuel supply tank 38 for the motor, and motor transmission do. Also mounted between the upper surface 37 and lower surface 39 of the base 32 is a kelly bar 42 which is extendable through the front and rear walls 34 and 33 of the base 32 andv extends through a push yoke generally designated 44. Also mounted within the base 32 are a pair of telescoping hydraulic rams generally designated 45 which extend through the front wall 34 and are secured to the push yoke 44.

For drilling or boring under the surface of the earth, v an open pit 48 is dug adjacent the area 50 to be drilled. Y

taining it in a stationary position throughout the drilling operation. Y

To bore the hole, when it is desirable to include acasing within the bore, an auger flight or section generally designated 56 is secured to the kelly fbar, 42. The auger flight includes a shaft 58 carrying a conventional spiral yauger 60 at the end of which is a conventional drilling bit assembly 6,2. The auger is surrounded by a casing or conduit 64 which is normally generally the length of the shaftSS with the` drilling bit assembly 62 attached thereto. This conduit 64 is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the auger 60. 'f

AMounted on the collar extension 105 is a plunger lock assembly 106 having a housing 105a with a plunger 108 havinga rounded end extending through the housing.

A compression spring 110 is provided around the plunger l108v and secured thereto withinthe housing 105a urging the plunger away from thevv collar extension 105. A dimplef112 is formed in the top surface of the kelly bar 42 which may be engaged by the plunger 108 when alignedwith an aperture 109 in the collar extension 105.

TheA spring 110being of the compression type may be n overcome` ywithdownward pressure on the. plunger 108 The'motor 36 is mounted on the upper surfacev37 'of Y `the base 32 with the radiator 35 facing into the open pit 48 toward the area where the drilling is done. In this way effective coolingr of thev engine is possible. Also thisy placement will put the transmission 40 at the rear of base 32 over the area housing the reduction gearing assembly to drive the kelly 42. The motor transmission 40 is connected lto a clutch kk66 and is of the type well known in the art having several forward speeds, and a reverse speed.

The reduction Vgear'assernbly generally designated 67 vmay be sealed within the'base 32 in a housing including forward and 'rearward support'bulkheads 84 and 85 which extend vertically fromrthe lower Vsurface 39 and arefsetoengage the kelly bar 42 andv restrain the kelly bar kagainst horizontal'shiftingwithin thedrive tube 92.

The telescoping ramy assemblies- 46 are each mounted AVwithin the base 32 between upper and lower surfaces 37 'and 39 on each side of the kelly bar 42 and on parallel axes therewith. The assemblies extend between the bulkhead '84 and the front wa1l34. .'Each assembly 46 comprises an outer cylinder 11.6 capped by a rear plate 118 ,having amounting stud 120 extending rearwardly from the plate 118 through the bulkhead 84 and held thereto by means of nut 122.Vv The cylinderat its forward end is vcappedby a .cylinder head 124 generally T shaped in external appearance and having a cylindrical portion ttecl cured thereto, cap plate 87, a short support bulkhead 89 and a second-cap plate 91. l This housing extends between Y the respective side walls of the lbase. 32 and will keep,-

A drive shaft 68 extends from the clutch66 through` bearings 70 and 72 which are mounted fin bulkheads 89 Y vand S5 respectively. Mounted on the shaftbetweenthe respective bearings 70 and 72 is a triplefsprocket gear 74. Mounted below the drive sprocket gear 74v and in alignment therewith is a larger triple sprocket gear 76 journaled on a shaft 78 which is mounted ,between two bearings 80 and v82 which are in turn mountedV in the bulkheads 84 and 85 respectively; also journaled on the shaft 78 is a spur gear 86. Three sprocket chains S8 connect the two sprocket gears 74 and 76. vThe' spur' gear 86 engages a relatively large Vspur gear 90 which is journaled on an enlargedV end section 96 of a kelly drive tube 92. It should be noted that theV kelly drive tube 92 and extension 96 have longitudinal passages which are square inv cross section Iand accommodate the kelly Y bar 42 which is also square in cross section. The end extension 96 is mounted within a pair of l bushings 94 mounted in the respective bulkheads 84 and 85 oneither side of the spur gear 90. In operation, when the rmotor 36 is running the variable speed transmission 40is engaged, thereby rotating the drive shaft 68 which in turn throughsprocket chains SS, turning spur gears 86 and 90. As the spur gearr90 is turned-the kelly drive Vtubev 92 and extension 96 will revolve. By the above described Ywill rotate the sprocket gear 74 and sprocket gearV 7S gearing arrangement a reduction may be effected to*l enable the kelly bar 42 to develop the required torque needed for drilling, depending upon the substance to be The drive tube 92 at its Vend 104 adjacent the wall 34V.

is formed into a collarextension 105 generally square in cross section through which the kelly bar 42 will pass.

within the cylinder 116, anda an'ged portion 124:1 of

.the head 124 is secured Ato an annular ange 126 on cylinder 116and the front wall 34 of the base 32 by means of a plurality of cap screws 128.

` lA-piston slidably mounted within the cylinder 116 is secured Vto a hollow, circular push rod 132 by means of a plurality'of screws 134. 5A stop sleeve 136 mounted on `thehollow push rod 132 forward of the piston 130 will act to stop the forward movement of the piston 130 when it engagesa rear face 138 of he cylinder head 124. The

cylinder head 124 yis provided with a brass or other metallic bushing 140 through which the. hollow push rod 132 is slidably mounted, and a retaining cap 142 is secured to the'cylinder head 124 by means of cap screws 144 exteriorly of wall 34. There is also provided an annular dirt seal 146 in the forward face of the retaining cap 142 engaging the rod 132; Within the hollow circular pushrod 132 isslidably mountedv a circular push rodl bar 148. Adjacent the forward portion' of the push rod assembly 46, the'push rod V132 andthe push rodv bar-148 are formed with alignable openingsV 150 to receive a locking pin 152 to releasably interlock the push rod bar in the push rod and cause simultaneous movement of the two parts. Also there isan opening 153 at the rear end of the bar 148 ywhichwhen aligned with opening 150 can receive pin 152` to maintain the push rod bar in an extendedv position relative tothe push rod. f j

The, ramy assemblies are each provided with hydraulic couplings 154 and 156. The coupling 154 provides fiu'i communication through bulkhead 84 and rear plate 118 for'hydraulic fluid from line 158 to force the piston, push rod 132 and push rod bar 148 forward toward the cylinder head 124. When it is desired to retract the extended push rod and .push rod bar, hydraulic fluid will be forced lthrough a hydraulic fuel Lline through coupling 156 and intofthe cylinder V116. As the fluidthus flows into the cylinder it will urge the piston 130 rearwardly, and at the same time the fluid which has been forced in through also includeda bypass line 268, a pressure regulator valvel Y V269, and a return line 26801. The valves 266 and 269 normally are within a single housing and may be of the commercially obtainable type such as a Zeno 94D. The lluid" line 158, .previously identified, extends from the valve `2'66 to the respective hydraulic ram assemblies.

The duid lines 1'60, previously i'dentitied, extend from the opposite ends -of the respective hydraulic vram assemblies 46 lto the valve 26,6. A fluid return -line270 Kextends from the valve 266 to -the reservoir 26,0 fand includes a filter 272 positioned in the line 270.

ln operation when it is desired to force the Vpistons 130 outward the valve266 is Iset .so that uid will pass from line 262 through Vline 158, and at fthe -same time allow duid to be held oit through line 160 and 270, through filter 272 to the reservoir 260. When it is desired to force the pistons 13.0 inward the valve .266 may befset toallow 'uid from line 262 to pass into line 160, and at `the vsame 'time allow fluid to be bled -otf .from *line `1-58 vinto 11i-ne 270 through lilter `27.2 vto the reservoir.

The pressure regulator valve 269 may be set for any desired `pressure so thatshotuld the 'system -build -up pressure above the pressure set-ting the fluid yWil-l be bypassed through line 268, valve 269 and fline 268a -back to the vreservoir 260.

The valve 266 maybe of a ymaximally operable ltype or automatically controlled, in accordance Withselected conventional practice. p v

The push yoke assembly 44 'includes an elongated gen erally hollow housing 44a having a front pla-te 1,63 vand -a rear plate 166 both of the same general exterior configuration, being narrow at the ends thereof and ared to a width in the middle to accommodate a kelly thrust Sleeve or tube i168 which extends through the yrespective ,plates i163 `and 166. A flat sleeve lcap 164 is `iittedaround the sleeve 1.68 and a flange T1174 extends Cthrou-gh fthe plate 163 into .the hollow interior of the housing. The `cap 164 is secured to the plate 163 hy means of cap-screws 1-65.

Fitted within annular iiange :174 of cap164 is a thrust sleeve bearing 176. The kelly thrust sleeve 168 is lformed with an annular stepped flange 17.8interrnediate its ends. An additional thrust bearing 180is fitted Withfn the housing rearwardly of the flange 178 which engages the Vfirst step 179.0f the flange 178. The cap 164 and plate 1166 is each provided with annular oil seals 182 which surrounds Ithe Athrust sleeve 168.

The assembly 44 is mounted on the push Yrods 148 which extend through the .plate 1.66 into sleeves 184 which are welded or .otherwise secured to the Aplate 163 and lplate 166, at Vthe reducedends of 4the assembly. A pin 186 pas-sing through the sleeve 184 and push rod fbar 148 secures the .push :yoke 44 to the yrod 148 iof each assembly 46. A

The th-rust Sleeve 1.68 .forward of -the `push yoke assembly 44 'is .provided with opposed lcut-.out portions -or grooves .188, best seen 4in FIGURE Y16. These cut-out .portions extend through .the vsleeve and .receive a horseshoe-shaped kelly bar lock'meniberor keeper 190 4which `is slidably mounted within theicutout `portions y1818. The kelly bar, being generally "square -finfcross sectional shape, as it passes through the square 'opening 189infth`e sleeve 168 would not allow the legs 192 of the horseshoe-lock .to t .properly within -the cut-out portions. Thus two diametrically-opposed corners of -the kelly l'bar '42 are notched 'as at 194. Thereare'aplurality of-the'se notches 194 :along the length of the kelly .bar so that it may be moved inwardly or outwardly .from :the collar ,-168 to the desired .posi-tion and ,then locked to the 'sleeve 168 by .positioning the horseshoe-shaped lock 5190 in the grooves and slots, such as is :illustrated =in FIGURES and 16. AIn order to retain -the horseshoe-shaped lock orpkeeper .1.90 within the cut-out tportio'ns 11,88, :a spring-actuated `plunger tmeans is provided which includes a `plunger housing 19.6 mounted on `sleeve 168, a -plunger 198 slidably mounted within the housing and a spring within the lhousing surrounding the plunger to urge the plunger toward `the horseshoe 'lock 190. There is an opening 202 provided lin .the horseshoe lockto receive :the plunger 198. Thus, when the flock is in position,

provided with locking pin apertures 253.

the ihole 202 is `aligned with the plunger and the plunger will be inserted within 'the hole to retain the lock lin position. This horseshoe-shaped locking means has been found preferable over other forms of locking the kelly Abar and push yoke assembly such as by pins and holes 'in thefkelly, 'because lthe milled slots 194 in :the corners of the .kelly bar 42 will not lweakeri the kelly such as -wou-ld happen if holes were `drilled `through the kelly.

The push yoke assembly 44 I is further Vprovided with a pair of casing clamp and fguide assemblies generally designated 284 each 'of vwhich includes a 'track '206, best ise'e'n in lFIGUR 13, which is secured to the Lfront Lplate 1463 by means of cap screws 208. Fitted within the tra'c'k 286 -i's va clamp extension assembly including a follower plate 210 slidahly mounted lwithin the vtrack 266, and a lpair of ot'l'tvvardly-ext'ending arms 212, to l'which is secured a casing `grip 214 having Vspacedapart :gripping fingers `216 and r218. The respective 'ngers 2156 and 2158 have arcuate opposing surfaces r220 .and 222, and :it will be noted that the arcuate surface Z'Zilgis s't'ruck on a smaller radius than the surface 222. The reason for the difference in fthe arcuate surface sections is for the accommodation and gripping lof various-sized casings or conduits. The gripping fiingers v521:6 and '23158 -ma'y "be reversed in the track 20'6. As is illustrated in v20, the casing 64 has a frelatively large diameter and thus engages the larger arcuate vsurface 222 of fnger 216, whereas the illustration in FIGURE 12 shows 'the clamp extension 212 being reversed so that the smaller arcuate linger 218 is ypositioned inside a casing 16'4 o'f relatively small diameter. v

v:In 'order to secure the clamp extensions 212 "f-to the lcasing V64, the respective lextensions on either side 'of lthe 'push yoke 44 are moved back and forth, toward or away from yeach other within the track 206, and when the fngers 216 or `.2158 engage the cas-ing 64, ycap nscrews 42254 extending 'through upper and lower 'ariges 226 'of the track 296 will lengage the follower plate 21'0 -and Vhold the Icla'rnp `extensions in a. 'xed position.

In or'dervto fjoin 'the auger night 60 to the 'kelly bar 42 and lock the 'two together -for joint rotation a key land keyway lock assembly 227 fis provided. This assembly `22H7 includes a kelly bar adaptor 228, Ia pin 230 'anda keyway conguration 244cm the end of the auger shaft S58, best seen in FIGURE 19. The adaptor 228 comprises fa 4rectangular housing 232 having a square lopening 234 into which the end of kelly bar 42 is 3inserted. Diametr'icaily opposite holes r`23S are provided in the housing v'232 and a set -pin 236 is 'inserted through one of the holes 235 through a corresponding opening 235'@ in the =kelly bar 42 and into the opposite hole 235 fof `the housing y(se'e -I7-). In this manner, rthe adaptor is locked onto the lkelly bar 42. The housing `232 is provided further with a tubular extension '238 having two opposite 'notched-out portions or keyways 240 and with opposed holes 242. The end 244 of the auger Shaft 5S is notched at 246 complementary Ato notches `or ikkeyways 240 o'n the adaptor 228, `and 'is The pin 230 consists of a tubular shaft 248 having bores `Z50 and 25011 extending therethrough, and centrally located between the respective ends of the pin 148 is an interrupted annular lii'a'n'ge 252 forming segments or keys 252e. The axial length of the Segments-25261 lis equal -to the Vstun ofthe axial lengths of 'the notches 240 and 246. The pin v23) is inserted in 'the shaft 58 and tubular extension 238 vso that the keys 252e: will mate one half in each of the 'notches 246 and 240. 'In order to lock the assembly, pins 254 are inserted through the openings 2'42 and 251) in the pin and through openings '253 and 254m at the auger shaft end of the assembly. The circular auger shaft 58 and square kelly '-bar 42 will thus be joined and locked as an vintegral unit.

It should also be noted that each end of the auger shaft 58 is provided 'with keyways and locking -pin aper- Vand keyway assembly 227.'

tures so that one auger flight 56 may bef secured toanother auger ilight as well as to the kelly bar 42.4

' Operation- After the pit 48 has' been 'dug to the necessaryV depth ,-5

to be drilled, adjacent the area 50, the horizontal boring machine 30 is placedrin the pit 48 adjacent the back wally 49 of the pit and preferably in abutmentthereagainst. The jacks 54 on the machine 30'are then positioned to engage the side walls ofthe pit and stabilize the machine and wedge it in position Vso that kit cannot veasily be shifted sideways or buckled. The pit '48 should be of suiiicient length to accommodate the machine 30 plus an auger flight 56 and casing 64 with kSome/'room to spare for working in Iand around the machinery. An Y auger ight 56 encompassed by a conduit section 64 is then secured to the kely bar 42 by means of the key YWith vthe lauger shaft 58 and kelly bar 42 thus assembled, the casing clamp assem- -blies 204 mounted on the push yoke 44 are moved so `that the gripping ,fingers 216 or 218 engage the inner surface of the end of the conduit 64. Asl previously `mentioned, the :arm extensions 214 are reversible so that the arcuate section of the fingers most nearly resembling .a similar arcuate section of the casing may be used. FIGURE 2O illustrates the use of the larger arcuate linger for a relatively large diameter casing 64. Y

Once the casingis thus positioned in the casing grip, the motor 36 maybe started and the transmission' 40 engaged which will cause rotation of the rotary drive tube 92 and kelly'bar 42 within the bearings 96,- 98, .and sleeve 168. .This rotary motion to the kelly Vdrive tube .and kelly bar is accomplished through the'transmission 40, upper sprocket gear 74 and reduction gearing heretofore described.- Rotation of the kelly 42 imparts'rot'ation to the auger 60 and drilling bit assembly 62 at lthe forward end of the' auger. In the starting position the fand casing.

c s; duef to `the Weight of the auger 4ightV which will hold the kelly. After the' push rod l132 has been retracted the 'pinY 152 isinserted'through the.` push rod V132v and hole 153 in push bar.148. As can be seen the push rod V132 is then inV position for these'cond thrust which will advance the push bar '1748, push yoke means 44,'auger and VWhenthcfevpush rod 132 has completedY its second and 'final thrust relative to the auger lflight 56V and casing '64 connectedl to the machine 30, asecond auger flight K6 and casing 64 may be installed to lengthen the bore To prepare for the newvau'ger ight 58 the transmis- 'sion 40`isdisengagedso the kelly bar 42 will stop-rotation vand the coupling 227 is disconnected so that the kelly 42 will be free-to slidefrearwardly to a position as previously described and seen in FIGURE 1. 'The push rod 132 is'retracted, moving the kellybar and push yoke rear- Wardlytowa'rdithe base 32 andthe pin 152 is Withdrawn. lWhen the rod '132 is fullytelescoped, the plunger lock assembly v106 is manipulated to engage the kelly bar 42 'tof prevent forward sliding movement of the kelly, push bar and push yoke while the push rod 132 is fully eX- tended forward Vj overthe push bar 148 which remains jstatina'ry. When-the push rod 132 is positioned coeX- -tensivelwith the bar, the pin 152 is inserted in Vopenings Y l150 and the entire assembly is retracted to a position as illustrated in FIGURE l.v Y

kelly 42 has been retracted rearwardly intoV the small,

bore 53. When it is desired to proceed with the .drilling operation, and the auger is rotating, forward'thrust of the auger 60 andi-casing 64 is accomplishedvthrough the pair of telescoping hydraulic rams 46 mounted in the base 32 and secured to the push yoke 44. Thestarting position for the ram assemblies requiresrthat'the hollow rod-132 and bar 148 be'retracted within the base' and pin 152 be inserted through the rod 132 and at the forward end of bar 148 to retain bar 148 within rod 132 for the rst stroke of the ram'assembly. VHydraulic fluid passes from the reservoir 260 through lines`262 and 158 into the cylinder 116, forcing the piston 130 forward,

causing the hollow circular push rod 132 and' push rod I ybar 148 to extend outward from the cylinder 116 forc- .ing the push yoke and the casing forward. As the push rod 132l is forced forwardly, the kelly bar will also slide within the drive tube 92 from a position shown in FIG- URE 1 to a position shown in FIGURE 3. It should be noted that the speed of the thrust of the hydraulic ramsv may be controlledin accordance with standard hy- .draulic practice dependent upon the soil condition. en-

prepare for a second 'stroke to advance the auger 'and casing. When retracting the push rod 132 it is not necessary to lockthe kelly bar 42 yagainst slidable movement reached itsmaximum stroke (best seen in 'FIGURE 3), the pin 152 isrremoved, and

Vthe push rod 132 is telescoped into the cylinder 1.16V to v described may be repeated.

Then the auger'4 ight 58 and casing 64 may be positioned inthe pit 48 so that the auger flight 58 and 58 may be` connected by a coupling similar to coupling 227 and the casings '64 and 64 may be Welded togetherv as at 258. When the auger flight 58' and casing 64 are in position the boring and casing laying operation above Oncev the boring and casingl laying have been completed, the auger ights maybe moved rearwardly in a manner previously described and-'removed a liight at a time for use again.

While the operation heretofore described related to 'simultaneously boring and laying a casing or conduit the machine 30 mayalso be utilized only in drilling or borvling VoperationA without the laying ,ofl casing. To accom- Vplish this the ma'sing 64 may be eliminated when the auger llight 58 is positioned in the pit 48 and the casing guides 206 Von the push yoke assembly 44 may be re- While the invention is hereinshown and ydescribed in what4 is conceived to be the most practicaland preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the invention, which is not Ytobelimited to the'details 'disclosed herein but is to be Yaccorded the full scopev of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures.

f Having described my invention, what I claim as new Y and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. The combination of: a base platform,vhydraulie telescoping ram.means mounted on said base and extendable' outward therefrom, a push yoke means mounted on said hydraulic ram means outwardly of said base, a kelly Vmeans slidably and rotatably mounted on said base platform and projecting from said base platform through said push yoke means and axially xable therewith, said ram means, push yokel means' and kelly means all having y travel axes that lie Vin a common plane, coupling means onV said. kelly means `adjacent said pushy yokev means, an auger ightvincludingfbit means operatively connected to said kelly means byj saidcoupling means-.whereby rotation of said kelly means will rotate said auger flight, a hollow conduity encasing said auger flight and engageable by said push yoke means,said.hydraulic ram means Vactivatable to move'y said push yoke means, said kelly means, said auger flight and said conduit outward from said base platform whereby said'auger flight will rotatably.V engageand bore-the earth, andv said push yoke rneaifs will engage said conduit and slidably simultane- Iously urge said conduit into said bore, 'motor drive means en said base platform to 'drive said kelly means and means to activate said hydraulic ram means, and said push lyoke means including adjustable, reversible conduit guide extensions which are each provided with a pair of spaced apart karcuate fingers struck :on different radii, a selected one of 'said fingers being engageable with the interior surface of said conduit.

2.y An earth boring and 'easing laying machine lfor use in a pit having a bottom, side walls and a first and second end wall adjacent the -area to be bored and r`a relatively small bore in the earth extending parallel with said bottom and outward from the second end wall, said machine comprising a base platform mounted on said pit bottom, hydraulic ram means including a cylinder rigidly mounted on said base frame, a piston slidably positioned in said cylinder, a telescoping hollow ram push rod secured to said piston and extendable from said base platform forward toward said first end wall, a push yoke means mounted on said hydraulic ram means, a telescoping ram push bar slidably mounted in said ram push lrod and having an end secured to said push yoke means, adjustable pin means to selectively tix the extent of telescoping of said ram push bar within said ram push rod, akelly means slidably and rotatably mounted on said base platform extending through said push yoke means and axially fixable therewith, said kelly means slidable forward from said base platform toward said first end Wall and rearward from said base platform through said second end wall into said relatively small bore, said ram means, push yoke means and kelly means all having travel axes that lie in a common plane, an auger flight including bit means projecting forward of said push yoke means, coupling means operatively connecting said'auger flight and said kelly means whereby rotation of said kelly means will rotate said auger flight, a hollow conduit encasing said auger flight and engageable by said push yoke means, said hydraulic ram means activatable to urge said push yoke means, said kelly means, said auger flight and said conduit forward toward said first end wall whereby said auger flight will engage said first end wall and when rotating bore the earth, and said push yoke meansI will simultaneously slidably urge said conduit into said bore, and motor drive means on said base platform to .drive said kelly means.

3. An earth boring and casing laying machine for use in a pit having a bottom, side walls and a first and second end wall adjacent the area to be bored and a relatively small bore in the earth extending parallel with said bottom and outward from the second end wall, said machine comprising a base platform mounted on said pit bottom, hydraulic ram means mounted on said base platform and extendable outward therefrom toward said first end wall, a push yoke means including a generally elongated housing mounted on said hydraulic ram means and including a front and back surface, a rotatable kelly receiving sleeve journaled in said housing, a kelly means slidably and rotatably mounted on said base platform extending through said kelly receiving sleeve, kelly keeper means on said sleeve to lock said kelly means and said sleeve together, said kelly means slidable forward from said base platform toward said first end wall and rearward from said base platform through said second end wall into said relatively small bore, said ram means, push yoke means and kelly means all having travel axes that lie in a common plane, an auger flight including bit means projecting forward of said push yoke means, coupling means operatively connecting said auger flight and said kelly means whereby rotation of said kelly means will rotate said auger flight, a hollow conduit encasing said auger flight and engageable by said push yoke means, said hydraulic ram means activatable to urge said push yoke means, said kelly means, said auger flight and said conduit forward toward said first end wall whereby said auger flight will lengage said first end wall and wh'en rotating bore -t-he earth, and said push yoke means will simultaneously slidably vurge said conduit rinto said bore, and motor drive means on said 'base lplatforrn to AIdrive said kelly means, said kelly 'keeper means includes a pair Vof opposed grooves formed in said sleeve exteriorly of said housing and Iconi-mun'iezning with lthe interior of said sleeve, a generally :U-shaped kelly keeper including generally parallel spaced apart legs, said legs each adapted to be fitted within said grooves and engage said kelly whereby independent axial sliding movement of said kelly bar will be prevented. Y

I4. An earth 'boring and "casing laying `machine for use in a pit having a bottom, side walls and a first and second end wall adjacent the area to be bored and a relatively small bore in the earth extending parallel with said bottom and outward from the second end wall, said machine comprising a base platform mounted on said pit bottom, hydraulic ram means mounted on said base platform and extendable outward therefrom toward said first end wall, a push yoke means mounted on said hydraulic ram means, a kelly means slidably and rotatably mounted on said base platform extending through said push yoke means and axially fixable therewith, Said kelly means slidable forward from said base platform toward said first end wall and rearward from said base platform through said second end wall into said relatively small bore, said ram means, push yoke means and kelly means all having travel axes that lie in a common plane, an auger flight including bit means projecting forward of said push yoke means, coupling means operatively connecting said auger flight and said kelly means whereby rotation of said kelly means will rotate said auger flight, a hollow conduit encasing said auger flight and engageable by said push yoke means, said hydraulic ram means activatable to urge said push yoke means, said kelly means, said auger flight and said conduit forward toward said first end wall whereby said auger flight will engage said first end Wall and when rotating bore the earth, and said push yoke means will simultaneously slidably urge said first conduit into said bore, and motor drive means on said base platform to drive said kelly means, said coupling means includes a hollow ended portion mounted on said kelly means, a second hollow ended portion on said auger flight, each hollow ended portion being provided with a pair of generally diametrically opposed keyways, a key pin provided with a pair of flange keys intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be inserted i-nto both hollow ended portions whereby said hollow ended portions may be drawn into abutting relation and said keys each interfitted generally equally within respective complementary keyways of each hollow ended portion, and pins insertable through said hollow ended portions and said key pin to lock said kelly means and said auger flight together.

5. The combination of: a platform, a pair of spaced apart hydraulic telescoping push rams mounted on said platform, a push yoke means carried by said hydraulic telescoping push rams and extending therebetween, a kelly bar slidably and rotatably mounted on said platform and projecting through said push yoke means, said hydraulic telescoping push rams, push yoke means and said kelly bar all having travel axes that lie in a common plane, releasable kelly keeper means to lock said push yoke means and said kelly bar for simultaneous axial movement, coupling means on said kelly bar forward of said push yoke means, an auger flight including bit means operatively connected to said kelly bar by said coupling means whereby rotation of said kelly bar will rotate said auger flight, a hollow conduit encasing said auger flight, said push yoke means including conduit guide means for releasably non-ixedly receiving said conduit, a motor drive means on said platform to rotate said kelly bar, a hydraulic fluid system to activate said hydraulic telescoping push rams along said travel axes whereby said push yoke means, said kelly bar, said auger flight and said l 1 conduit may all be simultaneously moved on anv outward stroke from said platform to bore the earthrand simultaneously position said conduit in said bore, andsajd push remain in the position assumed on said outward stroke. 'Y

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTSv Caldwellret al.. 175-173 X Rich 17'5-173 X Vl/'illianlsv et a1. 175-62 X Miller vet al Q L.. 175-53 Lens,l 175-76 X '10 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examinar.,

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examinar'. 

5. THE COMBINATION OF: A PLATFORM, A PAIR OF SPACED APART HYDRAULIC TELESCOPING PUSH RAMS MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM, A PUSH YOKE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID HYDRAULIC TELESCOPING PUSH RAMS AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, A KELLY BAR SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM AND PROJECTING THROUGH SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS, SAID HYDRAULIC TELESCOPING PUSH RAMS, PUSH YOKE MEANS AND SAID KELLY BAR ALL HAVING TRAVEL AXES THAT LIE IN A COMMON PLANE, RELEASABLE KELLY KEEPER MEANS TO LOCK SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS AND SAID KELLY BAR FOR SIMULTANEOUS AXIAL MOVEMENT, COUPLING MEANS ON SAID KELLY BAR FORWARD OF SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS, AN AUGER FLIGHT INCLUDING BIT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID KELLY BAR BY SAID COUPLING MEANS WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID KELLY BAR WILL ROTATE SAID AUGER FLIGHT, A HOLLOW CONDUIT ENCASING SAID AUGER FLIGHT, SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS INCLUDING CONDUIT GUIDE MEANS FOR RELEASABLY NON-FIXEDLY RECEIVING SAID CONDUIT, A MOTOR DRIVE MEANS ON SAID PLATFORM TO ROTATE SAID KELLY BAR, A HYDRAULIC FLUID SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE SAID HYDRAULIC TELESCOPING PUSH RAMS ALONG SAID TRAVEL AXES WHEREBY SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS, SAID KELLY BAR, SAID AUGER FLIGHT AND SAID CONDUIT MAY ALL BE SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVED ON AN OUTWARD STROKE FROM SAID PLATFORM TO BORE THE EARTH AND SIMULTANEOUSLY POSITION SAID CONDUIT IN SAID BORE, AND SAID PUSH YOKE MEANS AND SAID KELLY BAR BEING RETRACTABLE ON AN INWARD STROKE TOWARD SAID PLATFORM BY SAID HYDRAULIC PUSH RAMS AND SAID CONDUIT GUIDE MEANS BEING FREELY DISENGAGED FROM SAID CONDUIT SO THAT SAID CONDUIT WILL REMAIN IN THE POSITION ASSUMED ON SAID OUTWARD STROKE. 